The 9 best headphones and earbuds for working out in 2026

Read our full review of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 sports earbuds.

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are best for fitness users who want the most boxes checked. Accessible controls. Check. Convenient multi-platform support. Check. Durability. Check. Engaging sound. Check. Great comfort and fit. Check. Long playtimes. Check. Noise cancellation (despite being noticeably weaker than other Apple/Beats models). Check.

This second-gen release exhibits strengths that no other competitor can provide in totality.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are arguably the best-sounding sporty option for iOS, macOS, and Android users. They dish out well-rounded audio and impactful bass that fuels workouts better than a can of Red Bull. Low-end frequencies hit hard. Apple’s Personalized Spatial Audio mode boosts acoustics and clarity when listening to Dolby Atmos content on Apple Music. Precise headtracking also makes you feel like you’re in the crowd at live events.

Battery life has increased from nine to 10 hours, which was suitable for a week’s worth of exercising. Turning on ANC decreases playtime to 7.5 hours, though that’s still enough to squeeze in a few workouts before recharging. The wireless charging case holds up to 45 hours and employs patented Fast-Fuel charging to net you 1.5 hours of use on a five-minute charge. 

Beats’ signature ear hook design maintains on-ear stability, but it takes a hit in the looks department; the Good&Plenty appearance is a downgrade from the original’s sleek presentation. Nonetheless, it serves its purpose and retains key elements such as the volume rockers to seamlessly raise or lower sound.

It’s easy to knock the integrated health features since they don’t produce the most accurate readings. That doesn’t mean they aren’t serviceable. The built-in heart rate monitor, along with support for popular running apps (e.g., Nike Run Club, Peloton, Runna), lets runners gauge progress, even if the results don’t exactly match their level of activity. It’s a step in the right direction that most Apple-centric exercisers will appreciate and consider when weighing their purchase decision between these buds and any AirPods model.

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Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

If you're an AirPods loyalist, the AirPods Pro are your answer when it comes to workouts, and the new AirPods Pro 3 deliver features athletes have long desired. While they still don't have quite as secure a fit as the best Beats earbuds, they now come with five ear tip sizes for a much improved fit. Plus, they easily have the strongest sound and ANC among the headphones we tested. For athletes working out at a busy gym, these will be your best bet to keep the sound of weights hitting the floor to a minimum.

Crucially, the AirPods Pro 3 also bring heart-rate monitoring to AirPods. You can also sync them with the Fitness app on your iPhone to track your workouts as you sweat. And speaking of iPhones, the new AirPods Pro are a smart pick for iOS users, thanks to their ease of connectivity. They require no set-up, and like the Beats, you just have to open the case to connect. However, unlike the Beats, AirPods don't have a compatible Android app, making them a better candidate for iOS users.

Unlike other AirPods, the Pros are rated IP57 for dust, sweat, and water resistance, which makes them ideal for the sweatiest among us, or even outdoor runners who might get caught in the rain.

For athletes who like to block out the world and get in the zone with a workout playlist, the AirPods Pro 3 deliver impressive sound and active noise cancellation. They perform far better in this regard than most sports earbuds.

For iOS users, the Apple AirPods also offer supreme connectivity with bonus features like announcing calls and messages into your ears, so you don't need to look at your phone when trying to hit a PR. Plus, you don't have to worry about the battery life of these headphones. They run for six hours on a single charge, just like the Beats Fit Pro — more than enough for even the most intense workouts.

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Check out our full review of the Shokz OpenFit Pro.

Noise reduction in open earbuds is a new concept, which makes the new Shokz OpenFit Pro unique.

Biking on city streets, running through a park, or simply taking a walk around your neighborhood can all be great ways to get exercise in, but all require some degree of awareness if you want to stay safe. In those scenarios, open ear earbuds are the best solution, and our favorite pair for most people are the Shokz OpenFit Pro, thanks to their balance of sound quality, price point, and durability.

There are plenty of solid options for open earbuds out there, but the Shokz OpenFit Pro stand out for their versatility, powered by their noise reduction. Not to be confused with active noise cancellation, these earbuds can help slightly soften the sound of the world around you without completely cancelling it out.

The effect is such that you can still hear folks chatting around you, or cars honking, but your audio stream comes in with more depth and clarity. It may come as no surprise then that these Shokz are also some of the best sounding open earbuds we've tested, essentially tied with the Bose Ultra Open earbuds (our former pick on this guide for the best earbuds for noise transparency).

Beyond sound, the Shokz earbuds impressed us as workout earbuds on a few fronts over the Bose buds. First and most importantly, at full price, they're $50 cheaper than the Bose's. When it comes to water and sweat resistance, they offer more protection, with an IP-rating of IP55 over the Bose's IPX4. Finally, without noise reduction toggled on, these earbuds have over four hours more of battery life per charge (and nearly double the Bose's in the charging case).

Admittedly, with the noise reduction on, you eke out slightly better battery life with the Bose's, but unless you plan on having it on at all times, you still get more listening time out of the Shokz buds. If you prefer a cuff design, you may be better off with the Bose's, but in our testing, we found that the ear hook and lightweight design of these buds helped them stay secure during exercise.

SEE ALSO: The best open earbuds that stay put, sound great, and keep you aware of the world around you

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Check out our full review of the Beats Fit Pro.

Beats Fit Pro earbuds check the boxes for most athletes. These small buds fit comfortably in ears, and three different sizes of ear tips create a comfortable, secure fit. With active noise cancellation, the buds block out noise so you can focus on your workout. However, there is still some noise leakage, which isn't a bad thing if you need to remain aware of your surroundings for safety.

If you like touch controls, the Fit Pro have a clickable button that makes it easy to take calls or play/pause music. Despite being built into the iOS system, Beats buds work for iPhone and Android users alike with easy connectivity.

You can't beat the quick connectivity of the Beats Fit Pro. As an iOS user, you just have to open the case for the Beats Fit Pro to connect nearly instantly. Earbuds can be a tough fit, and our testers appreciated the multiple ear tip sizes and secure fit.

It took our reviewer a second to get comfortable with the Beats Fit Pro, but the wing-tipped design kept them securely in place even with heavy movement. They can still fall out, particularly if you're bending over, but they're much more secure than typical earbuds. While we were initially impressed with these earbuds' secure fit, we have since discovered that newer earbuds like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) earbuds stay in place even better.

Even though the Beats Fit Pro have been available for years, they still have some of the best touch controls available in 2025. While most headphones don't have actual buttons to use for touch controls, these do, making it a breeze to take calls. However, that makes it a little too easy to end calls — you may accidentally end a call or two while using these earbuds.

The sound quality on the Beats Fit Pro is excellent, though newer products from Bose, Apple, and Beats outperform them in audio quality. The ANC is good but not great, and we found that the ANC gets a little buzzy around loud noises, which can be a little distracting. Finally, with an IPX4 rating, they're water-resistant, so a little sweat or a sudden rainstorm won't cause any damage.

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Cyclists and runners who want the perfect balance of security, sound, and transparency will love the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. These bone conduction headphones come with speakers that sit on your jawbone and deliver sound waves to your inner ear.

Fit is the biggest selling point. The OpenRun Pro 2 are comfortable and stay firmly in place. That means you won't have to fidget with them throughout your workout. You can’t adjust them to size, but the neckband is flexible enough to accommodate listeners with different-sized skulls. The speakers rest pleasantly on the cheekbones.

Upgrades were made to improve sound performance. Shokz’s proprietary DualPitch Technology produces louder bass and treble production. It’s also more effective for audio output; sonic vibrations felt less intense on the face. The customizable EQ and modes came in handy for personalizing sound. We also liked how streaming quality remained steady over Bluetooth, especially when using multipoint to pair the headphones with two devices at the same time. Best of all, ambient noises sounded natural when running outside.

The one advantage these headphones have over the competition is battery life. You’re getting up to 12 hours of listening time and powerful, quick charging that nets you 2.5 hours on a five-minute charge. IP55 certification (dust/water resistance) and a solid plastic frame guarantee long-term use. 

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Check out our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2).

If you just want to lift in peace — no more loud grunts from the machine next to you — then good noise cancellation goes a long way. In 2025, the absolute best earbuds for noise cancellation are the newly released Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2). Every Mashable writer who's tested these earbuds agrees: They clearly have the best ANC in the earbud world right now.

We've consistently rated the Bose QuietComfort Ultra line as the most comfortable headphones in the world, and the new earbuds only improve on that well-deserved reputation. While they're not technically sports earbuds, they do offer a secure fit, water and sweat-resistance, and stellar ANC, so we have to include them here.